Elio looked at Cassandra, then at the crowd, and back to Cassandra.
A cold smile formed on his lips.
"If you like the idea of sacrifices so much, Cassandra, then you'll be the first."
With a movement of his hand, the large carbon stake transformed, twisting and molding until it formed a giant hand. The carbon fingers closed around Cassandra's body, leaving her suspended in the air, exposed before the entire plaza. Her rabbit familiar, powerless against Wide Guard's influence, could only watch in horror.
"You wanted sacrifices?" Elio's voice was cold, devoid of all emotion. "Here's one."
The carbon hand began to close slowly. At first, Cassandra tried to maintain her dignity, gritting her teeth to avoid screaming. But as the pressure increased, the pain became unbearable.
Her first scream resonated in the silent plaza, making many shudder. But Elio didn't stop. The hand kept squeezing, slowly and inexorably.
